This year, many famous faces visited the cornfields. Here’s a look at who visited the University.
Kendall Jenner
In October, Kendall Jenner visited Champaign-Urbana’s KAMS and Joe’s Brewery in promotion for her tequila brand, 818 Tequila.
Partaking in the college bar life, Jenner took photos behind the bar and served customers drinks made with her 818 Tequila. Customers crowded around the entrance of the bars for the chance to try Jenner’s margaritas and even get photos with her.
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redveil
Hip-hop and rap artist redveil turned Foellinger Auditorium into a mosh pit during his performance this past October. An auditorium that hosts classes during the day turned into a lively audience that evening as show opener, rapper STVE SØL and DJ Razelle, buzzed the environment for redveil’s entrance.
redveil is one of the many popular artists that have been brought to perform at the University through Star Course, a student-run organization that hosts famed artists to perform on campus.
During redveil’s concert, Foellinger was alive with chants, strobe lights and even smoke machines. redveil even said he knew his performance at the University would be one of his favorite college performances.
“Lowkey, wish we could do this all night,” redveil said.
Monica Lewinsky
With the news that Monica Lewinsky, former White House intern during the Clinton administration, would be holding a talk at the University, it was no surprise that students formed a line around the Illini Union with hopes of attending. For many students, it was an opportunity to listen to a primary figure who overcame the obstacles of cyberbullying and turned this extreme experience into one that would advocate for change regarding online bullying and scrutiny.
During her talk, Lewinsky spoke on the interconnectedness of technology while touching on her personal experience with cyberbullying and humiliation. She highlighted how fast her life turned around in the public eye, waking up one morning to being known worldwide with her name and face thrown around in the media.
Students related to Lewinsky’s perspectives on mental health, a topic very important to a young age group. Lewinsky said that people don’t have a clue what those around them are suffering through, which is why compassion should be shown equally to everyone.
Lewinsky’s talk at the Union was one that reminded students that despite the extreme stories that the media might spread, there is always a story worth listening to and a person worthy of understanding.
NLE Choppa
Following a poll from the beginning of the semester, students voted on which artists they wanted to see perform at the University’s Spring Jam. Results returned with NLE Choppa winning the largest interest as the Spring Jam artist.
Students are set to gather at the State Farm Center on April 28 for a free concert by NLE Choppa to hear his largest hit songs like “Camelot,” “SLUT ME OUT” and his newest single “SLUT ME OUT 2.”
Tyler James Williams
In honor of the Illini Union Alumni Association Speaker Series, Tyler James Williams, most known for his acting role in “Abbott Elementary,” was invited to the event.
With a line wrapping around the Union, audience members were ecstatic to attend his speech, as they had the chance to win participation in a meet and greet. Williams was chosen based on the large interest of the student body and was welcomed to the University with massive applause and enthusiasm.
With the majority of the audience being college students, many grew up watching Williams on their television. Williams spoke about his experience on “Abbott Elementary” and the movie “Let it Shine,” touching on how much the entertainment industry has changed since he first joined.
Audience members said they enjoyed hearing about Williams’s experiences and pointed out how well he communicated with the crowd.
“I definitely liked his answers, especially the ones that were more deep and how he really went into detail about things he was really passionate about,” Jovona Neely, freshman in DGS, said.
